How the world sees Greece
 Daily Mail | UK's borders 'will be closed' to refugees from Greece and other failing ... Daily Mail David Cameron has been told that he can make use of extraordinary legal powers to close the doors to European migrants who immigration officers cannot usually prevent coming to Britain. David Cameron 'prepared to halt immigration of Greeks into UK' UK could restrict Greek immigrants |
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Prime minister says it would be in UK's interests to impose stringent border controls if Greece is forced to leave euro
David Cameron is prepared to override Britain's historic obligations under EU treaties and impose stringent border controls that would block Greek citizens from entering the United Kingdom, if Greece is forced out of the single currency.
The prime minister told MPs that ministers have examined legal powers that would allow Britain to deprive Greek citizens of their right to free movement across the EU, if the eurozone crisis leads to "stresses and strains".
In an appearance before senior MPs on the cross-party House of Commons liaison committee, the prime minister confirmed that ministers have drawn up contingency plans for "all sorts of different eventualities".
The worst-case scenario is understood to cover a Greek exit from the euro, which could trigger a near-collapse of the Greek economy and the flight of hundreds of thousands of its citizens who are currently entitled to settle in any EU country.
The prime minister said Britain is prepared to take measures to avoid a major influx of Greek citizens. "I would be prepared to do whatever it takes to keep our country safe, to keep our banking system strong, to keep our economy robust. At the end of the day, as prime minister, that is your first and foremost duty."
Asked by Keith Vaz, the Labour chairman of the House of Commons home affairs select committee, whether he would restrict the rights of Greek citizens to travel to Britain, the prime minister said he would be prepared to trigger such powers.
"I hope it wouldn't come to that," he said. "But, as I understand it, the legal powers are available if there are particular stresses and strains. You have to plan, you have to have contingencies, you have to be ready for anything – there is so much uncertainty in our world. But I hope those things don't become necessary."
Theresa May, the home secretary, confirmed last month that the government was examining contingency plans but indicated that she did not see any "increased movement". May told the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1 on 10 June: "So far ... we're not seeing any trends in any increased movements despite obviously the significant problems already economically in a number of eurozone countries. But I think it's right that as a government across the board, we look at the contingency arrangements that you know might be needed in these circumstances."
In his appearance before the committee, the prime minister also appeared to give the impression that he might abandon plans to publish the tax affairs of senior cabinet ministers. His remarks came after former Labour minister Margaret Hodge asked whether the government would publish details of so called "sweetheart" tax deals between the HMRC and large companies.
Cameron promised to write to Hodge after considering the matter. But he added: "The fact that we have taxpayer confidentiality is hugely important. Imagine the dangers of politicians fiddling around with each other's tax affairs. It just doesn't bear thinking about."
It is understood that the prime minister will publish limited tax details of a handful of senior cabinet ministers by the next general election in 2015. Cameron is understood to feel he has to follow the "Boris precedent" – the commitment by the London mayor in the recent election to publish his tax details – though it is expected that the prime minister will publish a redacted version of his tax return.
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 Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting | Greece: The Youth Vote for Change Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting The dream of every Greek used to be a public-sector job with lifetime tenure, says 21-year-old Pantelis Sterogiannis, a New Democracy party supporter. Now, he says, “we need to learn how to make our own jobs – but we also need good policies to make ... |
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Greece: 'Alarming' New Information About Its Economy Voice of America (blog) Greece says its recession is deepening and will present “alarming” information about the state of the country's economy this week to international auditors in a new effort to ease the terms of the government's latest bailout. A government spokesman ... |
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Greece To Present Debt Inspectors 'Alarming' Data NPR ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's new government will present "alarming" data on its recession and unemployment to international debt inspectors this week, in a bid to renegotiate the terms of its bailout agreements. Government spokesman Simos ... |
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 euronews | Greek government says aims to cut deficit, revive economy Reuters ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's new government will focus on cutting the country's budget and current account deficits together with reviving its recession-hit economy, Deputy Finance Minister Christos Staikouras. Greek govt says aims to cut deficit, revive economy |
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Greek government owes suppliers 6.5B euros ForexLive (blog) Greek deputy finance minister Stakouras said the governments main focus is reducing twin deficits. If possible, he said, another goal is to pay down 6.5 billion. |
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Greek government presses ahead with austerity World Socialist Web Site Within days of being elected, the Greek coalition government led by New Democracy has already reneged on the few pledges it was forced to make in order to placate massive opposition to years of austerity. |
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 Famagusta Gazette | Greek FM to Turkey: Stop Threats Journal of Turkish Weekly GreeceÃs new foreign minister has called on Turkey to stop its ìthreats and aggressive attitudeî toward Greek Cyprus and to help in the islandÃs reunification, as he met with Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias yesterday during his first ... Cyprus readies for bailout talks with EU, IMF Divided nation state set to enjoy its six months in sun Greek FM: Turkey's threats against Cyprus must end immediately |
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Greeks make London push despite crisis NDTV Greek Olympic chiefs insist that the country's financial crisis will not lead to a slimmed-down team being sent to the London Olympics. |
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Greece faces critical audit NEWS.com.au Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has huddled with ministers and allies ahead of a crucial creditor audit. |
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Bailout Envoy Urges Greece to Speed up Reforms ABC News A senior European Central Bank official urged Greece's new government on Monday to avoid further delays in implementing major structural reforms. ECB board member Joerg Asmussen is in Athens as the struggling country's new coalition government holds ... |
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